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Internet Explorer market share falls below 50%

We all knew this was going to happen, but who would’ve thought it would this year? Especially at the heels of positive reviews Internet Explorer 9 has gained after the Beta version was released just last month.

Internet Explorer's share of the world market has dropped to 50% (Click to zoom)

According to StatCounter’s press release:

Microsoft IE fell to 49.87% in September followed by Firefox with 31.5%. Google’s Chrome continues to increase market share at an impressive rate and has more than tripled from 3.69% in September 2009 to 11.54% in September this year.

Two things were the culprits: 1) Regulatory actions in Europe which mandated Microsoft to offer a choice of browsers instead of just Internet Explorer whenever they install a copy of Windows and 2) Google Chrome’s increasing popularity, over taking Apple’s Safari in June this year.

If other experts and stats firm agree, we may have just witnessed another moment in the web browser war history. The first one was the death of Netscape in 2007.

Is Internet Explorer next? Or will the IE 9’s stable release save it and win back converts to the other browsers? Well don’t look at me, I’m a loyal Chrome user since it came out. How about you?

3 Comments

Me, I am not using IE anymore even with the latest release they have. I find more comfort and convenience using Chrome and Firefox alternately. These two are my browsers now.

Yes, time will come when IE will be reduced into just another browser. Though it could take time before it will die just like Netscape — but I am sure it will slowly fade like once shining stars in the heavens we call as internet.

Why would anyone want to stick with Explorer? The most obvious answer is that they don't know anything else exists. Either that or they don't realize that the alternatives are free. The only reason that Explorer keeps any market share, is because it comes bundled with every PC sold.